Trail Advisory: San Juan National Forest to Close

The San Juan National Forest (SJNF) is amongst the most beautiful overland destinations in North America, but if your summer plans lead you there, you may want to check their website. According to the SJNF rangers, a stage three fire closure is expected to be signed into place tomorrow, due to extreme drought conditions. The US Forest Service clarified further saying:

“The purpose of the closure is to protect natural resources and public safety due to the danger of wildland fire. The closure order will prohibit entry into the San Juan National Forest, including entry by the general public, most administrative entry by Forest Service employees, and most uses authorized under Forest Service permits and contracts. This means that forest campgrounds, day use areas, roads, and trails will be closed, including wilderness areas, and that hiking, dispersed camping, and other recreational activities are prohibited.”

For those wondering, there is no clear end date for this travel ban. It will simply continue until enough moisture is present to improve the current conditions to a usable state. To keep up to date on the closure, check their website here, or follow their social channels at @SanJuanNF.

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Chris didn’t receive a real taste of the outdoors until moving to Prescott, Arizona, in 2009. While working on his business degree, he learned to fly and spent his weekends exploring the Arizona desert and high country. It was there that he fell in love with backcountry travel and four-wheel drive vehicles, eventually leading him to Overland Journal and Expedition Portal. After several years of honing his skills in writing, photography, and off-road driving, Chris now works for the company full time as Expedition Portal's Managing Editor.